From Lily Parr to Lucy Bronze: the evolution of England's Lionesses

At the World Cup, England are making up for lost time after a 50-year ban on women playing football competitively. This is the story of a blooming women’s soccer culture in the early 1900s that was stopped in its tracks by the country’s own FA.

By Nicklas Vinde

"Are you ready to win a World Cup?"

Those were the words from head coach Phil Neville to his players after England’s convincing 3-0 win against Norway in the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

It didn't quite happen this time, as a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to the United States saw them go out at the semi-final stage for the third major tournament in succession.

England beat Norway to claim a spot in the semi-final at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

England beat Norway to claim a spot in the semi-final at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

1 / 5

GettyImages-1158690310

2 / 5

GettyImages-1158691213

3 / 5

GettyImages-1158691756

4 / 5

GettyImages-1158691429

5 / 5

GettyImages-1159028002

The phrase 'Football's Coming Home' was coined by comedians-turned-singers Baddiel and Skinner in their number one song 'Three Lions', released ahead of the men's European Championships in 1996 held in England.

It referred to "30 years of hurt" since England's 1966 World Cup triumph.

That 30 is now 53 with the men's team falling at the semi-finals last year in Russia under Gareth Southgate.

The women's team, coach by his former international team-mate, also fell in the last four at a World Cup.

It will be 54 next year when Neville bids to win Olympic gold with Great Britain and deliver long overdue success for the home of the most popular football league in the world.

England team v France at 'Le Tournoi' in June 1997 with Gareth Southgate (#5) in back row and Phil Neville in front (#14)England team v France at 'Le Tournoi' in June 1997 with Gareth Southgate (#5) in back row and Phil Neville in front (#14)

But this is about more than just a recent upturn in the fortunes of the side.

This is the story of how a nation rediscovered its love of women's football after it was cruelly cut off in its prime by sexism in the corridors of power at the English Football Association (FA).

The rise and fall of English women’s football

Women's World Cup year has seen the game gain huge interest in parts of the world, with Atletico Madrid's Liga Femenina clash with Barcelona attracting a record crowd for a women's club game.

Respite, at last

It took England's World Cup win in 1966 (the men, obviously) to rekindle the flame which had been extinguished 45 years earlier.

The Women’s Football Association was formed in 1969 with 44 founder member clubs, [but the FA still refused to lift their ban](the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged).

They eventually relented in 1971, ending restrictions on women playing at its grounds, with UEFA recommending that each national football federation should be responsible for women's football.

Even that process took longer than necessary, with the FA not taking control of the English women's game until 1993.

The time in the wilderness left England lagging behind their rivals on the international stage.

And the country that Lily Parr and Dick, Kerr's Ladies toured almost half a century previously - the United States - went on to become the global superpower in women's soccer.

The USWNT won three World Cups and four Olympic titles while England's women have yet to reach their first major final.

Defending champions USA aim for redemption at FIFA Women's World Cup

Defending champions USA aim for redemption at FIFA Women's World Cup

Defending champions USA aim for redemption at FIFA Women's World Cup

Can the four-time Olympic champions claim a fourth World Cup title to erase the painful memories of their Rio 2016 quarter-final exit? The reigning champions are stacked full of the top names in the sport and France 2019 gives the players a chance to to reassert their claim that the United States are once again the dominant force in female soccer.

Time to shine

While other teams have had the Olympics as a goal, that has rarely been an option for English women since its Games debut at Atlanta 1996.

England do not compete at Olympic events as a standalone entity. Instead, Great Britain are represented, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Those four nations take part in FIFA events separately and, to ensure their independence with football's world governing body, a British team have never previously attempted to qualify for the Games.

They did play at London 2012 where, as hosts, no qualification was required. After cruising through the group stages, Team GB were knocked out 2-0 by Canada in the quarter-finals.

Team GB players commiserate with each other after their London 2012 quarter-final exit to CanadaTeam GB players commiserate with each other after their London 2012 quarter-final exit to Canada

This Women's World Cup acts as a Tokyo 2020 qualifying event for European nations.

When Phil Neville took charge of England, he stated that a joint-British team for Tokyo 2020 was "absolutely fundamental" for developing the women's game.

And ahead of this World Cup, the four national associations agreed that England - as the highest team in the FIFA world rankings - should compete for an Olympic berth on behalf of Britain.

With the top three European sides guaranteed to go to the Games, England reaching the last four, coupled with USA's quarter-final win over hosts France, secured Britain an Olympic spot.

With Lucy Bronze - who Neville called "the best player in the world" in France - and London 2012 survivors including Jill Scott, the prolific Ellen White and Scotland star Kim Little, perhaps Team GB's women can end '54 years of hurt' in Tokyo.

Champions League winner Phil Neville inspires England women

Champions League winner Phil Neville inspires England women

Champions League winner Phil Neville inspires England women

The former Manchester United and England player is the first high-profile male footballer to take charge of a women's international side. Lucy Bronze is among the Lionesses inspired by Neville's achievements on the pitch which included winning the Champions League in 1999, and playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.